The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2007-06-28, Page 15THE CITIZEN. THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2007. PAGE 15.By Rev. Cathrine CampbellMelville, BrusselsKnox, BelgravePresbyterian ChurchesBrussels is in a celebratory mood – you can see it and feel it and I pay my respects to all those who are involved in the forthcoming Homecoming celebrations. These events do not happen on their own but are due to the hard work, vision and perseverance of a number of people who volunteer of their time and talent to enhance their community. It is this spirit of civic responsibility and pride that has given us a country whose birthday we celebrate on July 1. This is a country that has as its motto a quote from the Psalms - Psalm 72:8 He will rule from sea to sea ………… (NIV). The version of the Bible in place when Canada was founded, in 1867, was the King James version and the Canadian Encyclopedia tells us: A Mari usque ad Mare (“From Sea to Sea”), Canada’s motto, was derived from Psalm 72:8, which reads in Latin “Et dominabitur a mari usque ad mare, et a flumine usque ad terminos terrae,” and in the King James version, “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.” Attention was first directed to the verse when, apparently at the suggestion of Samuel Leonard Tilley the term “dominion” was chosen to represent Canada as a whole when the British North America Act was drafted. And, until not that many years ago Dominion Day was the name given to our natal celebrations but it is now replaced by Canada Day. So, what kind of country are we? We are a well under girded one for sure for Canada is a country that begins its charter with the following: Whereas Canada is founded uponprinciples that recognize thesupremacy of God and the rule oflaw:1. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. Fundamental Freedoms 2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: a) freedom of conscience and religion; b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and d) freedom of association This is an amazing document and an amazing legacy for our children and all those who come to this country to contribute as our ancestors did. We are a country richly blessed and it is our challenge to guard our rights and freedoms and encourage others who are not so blessed to aspire to new levels of living that bring health andwholeness.And I think this is understood bythe people of Brussels and Belgravewhen they plan events such as the Homecomings or parades or parks. They know that these communities did not just develop because it was thought to be a good idea but because people cared, people dreamed dreams and people sacrificed so that we could live in this beautiful area in peace and tranquility. When you travel abroad you find that Canada is a place that is respected, admired and yes, envied. And when you return you resolve that this respect, admiration and approbation is something to be cherished and honoured. We are all citizens of a country that is blessed by the Creator of a Kingdom that never ends and in that creation we are called to respond and we can do no worse than to use the words of Joshua …………”as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14(b)) And we will celebrate! Happy Canada Day and come to the Homecoming! From the Minister’s StudyIn a celebratory mood Isabel Alcock of Grey Twp. turned 90 on Monday and a celebration was in order over the weekend. Many friends and family members made the trip to celebrate on a beautiful day for an outdoor party. Children were greeted by a surprise visitor. A clown popped in and stayed long enough to paint the kids’ faces, play some guitar and help the children along to sing Happy Birthday to their grandmother. Before the clown’s visit, children were kept busy with races, games, and sweets. Guests made the trip from all over the country to RR 2 Hensall, Debbie Jones’ farm for the party. Special guests included Rev. Fred Carson and Marcia from Simcoe, Shelley Jaco from British Columbia as well as dozens of friends and family from the surrounding area. Alcock was born at Seventh Line of Morris Twp., June 25, 1917 to Richard and Jane Alcock. Alcock was the second-oldest of eight children. She had two brothers and five sisters. Alcock spent her hours as a farmer’s wife. She also picked apples at Blake’s Orchards, worked at the American Hotel in Brussels and spent some time as a rural mail- carrier, something she did up to her 87th year. As Alcock always said, “It’s better to wear out than to rust out”. Now Alcock spends most of her time quietly sharpening her smarts. She is often reading and challenging herself with word puzzles. Alcock still lives on Lot 6, Conc. 13 in Grey Twp., where she’s lived since she married John, Jan. 23, 1935. Her husband passed away in 1981. She still lives on the farm with her son Ross and his wife Cora. They had five children, Bill, Betty, Ross, Murray, and Ken, who passed away in May of 2006. Alcock was a member of St. John’s Anglican Church, as well as being a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Auxiliary. Local woman turns 90 308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 519-523-4590 B l y t h C o m m u n ity Church of God C H U R C H O F G O D ,ANDERS O N , I N D I A N A We welcome Living Water Christian Fellowship to worship with us during July and August Sundays at 10:30 a.m. “The Church is not a building, it is people touching people THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Welcomes you to come and worship with us SUNDAY, JULY 1 The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 519-887-9273 Trinity, Blyth 9:30 a.m. St. John's, Brussels 11:15 a.m. BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Sandra Cable, Worship Leader Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship Please join us at Melville Presbyterian Church for services in July at 11 am. Church services for Brussels Ethel Pastoral Charge will resume August 5. Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street Blyth United Church Office: 519-523-4224 Worship Service 11 a.m. Guest Speaker ~ Tom Dunbar Sunday School resumes in September Sunday, July 1 All Welcome Sunday 10:30 a.m. - Sunday Worship Service 7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship Service Wednesday 7:00 p.m. - Adult Bible Study Something for everyone! Call the church for current Youth events HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH Auburn - 519-526-1131 PASTOR DAVE WOOD July 9-13 - Vacation Bible School presents “Galilee by the Sea.” Please join us for worship SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00am Evening Service 7:30pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Pastor John Kuperus Hwy. 4, Blyth MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, JULY 1 Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 519-887-9831 11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship - Sunday School 9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service getlivingwater.org Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848 Sun., July 1: Isaiah 5:8ff Evangelical Missionary Church Living Water Christian Fellowship Tuesdays 7:30 pm -Wingham Small Group NOTE: Joint services for summer at Church of God 308 Blyth Rd. E., Blyth “Woe, Canada: the Cost of Selling Out Conscience” Happy Birthday to you It is 90 years for Isabel Alcock, who celebrated recenty with family and friends. (Photo submitted)